Fall is in full swing and even the grey skies can’t keep the leaves from showing off their changing colors. There is lots of news happening in Hoboken and Jersey City. It has been another week of news in Hudson County, and we’ve got all the headlines to get you caught up, as we do every week — from all around the internet. Among the local news: new med spa, Fillir, is coming soon to Hoboken; the first annual Jersey City Mac + Cheese Festival is happening in November; and a new Vietnamese restaurant soft opens at the former Sri Thai location in Hoboken. Keep reading for all the news in Hoboken + Jersey City for the week ending on September 29th, 2024.

Have a news story or press release? Email it to [email protected].

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Among the Headlines (read on for the full stories + more):

• Barry’s Bootcamp is coming to Hoboken
• NJ Transit To Replace Clouded Train Windows
• Hoboken Restaurant BYRD Announces New Fall Menu
• Law & Order SVU Season 26 Filming in Hoboken This Week
• Hoboken Man Charged for Striking Goose With Ebike
• Coworking space, AndCo North, Opens in Jersey City
• Future of Hoboken Rent Control Protections to be Included on November Ballot
• Buongiorno Gelateria Coming Soon to Jersey City
• Urban Market Hoboken Planning for November Opening on Washington Street
• Hoboken Legion Post 107 Hosts 2nd Annual ‘Ruck the River’

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NJ Transit To Replace Clouded Train Windows

Regular commuters know that no matter what the weather forecast predicts, the commute will typically look foggy due to clouded windows on NJ Transit trains. Even the CEO of NJ Transit found issues with the obstructed views during his commute to work. It’s become a problem with passengers sometimes struggling to figure out what station they’ve arrived at when no announcement has been made. Now, the company is taking steps to clear up the view so commuters can not only take in the magnificent views of New Jersey during their travels but also ensure they’ll be able to see what station they’re stopping at. Click here for more.

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Hoboken Legion Post 107 Hosts 2nd Annual ‘Ruck the River’

After last year’s event saw dozens of participants, Hoboken American Legion Post 107 hosted its second annual “Ruck the River” march on September 28th at 10AM on the Hudson River waterfront. The event honored Badger Six — a non-profit charity that provides assistance to approximately 30 families of Afghan cavalrymen who fought alongside the United States in Afghanistan following the aftermath of the 9/11 tragedy. Click here for more.

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New Pet Shop to Open on 4th Street in Hoboken This November

L&B Pet Market shared exclusively with The Hoboken Girl earlier this year that it plans to open a second pet shop in Hoboken. The family-owned store based in Montclair is a haven for health-conscious pet owners and will be bringing another locally-owned pet shop to the Mile Square. L&B Pet Market is located at 15 South Fullerton Avenue in Montclair and is now expanding to Hoboken, as its owner is a Hoboken resident. We now know that the new pet shop is planning for a November 2024 opening. Click here for more.

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Jersey City Free Public Library Celebrates New Communipaw Library Branch

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Mayor Steven Fulop and the Jersey City Free Public Library (JCFPL) are raising the bar for what libraries can offer the communities they serve with the grand opening of a brand new public library in Jersey City’s Bergen-Lafayette neighborhood. The event took place on September 26th at 11AM at the Communipaw Branch Library, 295 Johnston Avenue in Jersey City. Per the JCFPL website, the new library branch features a 3D printer, recording studio, laser cutter, and other makerspace resources.

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Law & Order SVU Season 26 Filming in Hoboken This Week

Earlier this week, The Hoboken Girl team got word that Law & Order SVU is filming in Hoboken. Several eyewitness reports have confirmed the location to be the former Walgreens on Washington Street. Click here for more.

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The First Annual Jersey City Mac + Cheese Festival is Happening on 11/2

The Lokel Group is hosting Jersey City’s first-ever Mac + Cheese Festival on Saturday, November 2nd. Participants will tour around Jersey City to sample all kinds of mac + cheese creations from some of the best spots in town. Tickets are $35 and include a sample of mac + cheese from every participating location and 10% off at downtown FLWR dispensary. This event will be held rain or shine. Click here for more details and to purchase tickets.

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Updates on Fire at Clock Tower Apartments; Fundraisers Set Up for Hoboken Family

 

 

 

 

 

 

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On the morning of September 19th, 2024, a fire broke out at The Clock Tower Apartments, located at 300 Adams Street in Hoboken. An AngeLink fundraiser has been set up for Christina Ortiz and her two daughters, a Hoboken family whose apartment and belongings were completely destroyed in the fire. Somewear in Between, an appointment-only boutique located at 720 Monroe Street Suite E521 in the Monroe Center, also donated 20% of all sales made through 9/27 to Christina and her daughters. Click here for more.

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30-Year Tax Break for Pompidou is Approved by Jersey City Council

The Jersey City Council approved a 30-year tax break for the Centre Pompidou at a heated meeting that lasted six hours on September 25th. Per the Hudson County View, the measure passed 6-3, with Councilmen Rich Boggiano, James Solomon, and Frank Gilmore voting no, nearly the same tally that it passed on the first reading.

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Is Something New Finally Coming to the Former DC’s Space in Hoboken?

DC’s Tavern at 505 8th Street in Hoboken had been a go-to for many dive bar lovers looking for a good time away from the “main” bar scene on Washington Street for nearly 20 years. In 2020, right before the pandemic, it closed its doors for good. Now, word on the street is that the space will be getting a new tenant, but the info is a bit difficult to nail down. Click here for more.

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New Vietnamese Restaurant Soft Opens at Former Sri Thai Location in Hoboken

Photo Credit: Gonca Esendemir

After locals speculated about what was going on at the former Sri Thai space at 234 Bloomfield Street in Hoboken for a few months now, we can now confirm its closure. Bahn Pho, a new Vietnamese restaurant, has opened in the space. The spot is a modern Vietnamese restaurant that also serves up a few Thai dishes, and hosted a soft opening on September 26th. Click here for more.

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Federal Authorities Warn E-ZPass Customers in New Jersey About Scam

If you use E-ZPass in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or beyond, beware of scammers attempting to steal personal information. Per ESPN NJ, officials say a text messaging scam is going after customers of tolling agencies across the country that persuades them to enter personal and/or financial information on a phony website. If you clicked on a link contained in a text message, officials advise you to immediately contact your financial institution and notify E-ZPass of any erroneous information posted to their accounts. You may also report the fake text message to the FBI.

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Affordable Senior Housing Complex is Coming to 1033 Willow Avenue in Hoboken

Photo Credit: City of Hoboken

Mayor Ravi Bhalla and the City of Hoboken announced on September 26th that the proposal to develop 36 units of deed-restricted senior affordable housing at 1033 Willow Avenue has received unanimous approval from the Hoboken Zoning Board of Adjustment at its September 24th special meeting. Per a City of Hoboken press release, this key milestone allows the City to move forward with the first 100 percent senior affordable housing building in over 30 years. The six-story building will consist of 36 affordable units for seniors, with a ground-floor activity room.

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Coworking Space, AndCo North, Opens in Jersey City

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Silverman Building announced via Instagram the opening of its second coworking space, AndCo North, at 220 9th Street in Jersey City. AndCo Co-Working is a premier collaborative and social workspace featuring memberships, benefits, and community.

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Buongiorno Gelateria Coming Soon to Jersey City

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A new dessert shop called Buongiorno Gelateria is opening soon near one of Jersey City’s transit hubs. Per Jersey Digs, the shop will open on the ground floor of 525 Washington Boulevard, inside the space formerly home to Automat Kitchen. Buongiorno Gelateria will feature handmade gelato in over 120 flavors. An opening date for the sweet shop has not yet been announced.

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Barry’s Bootcamp Coming to the Former Jos A. Bank Location Hoboken

 

 

 

 

 

 

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While Equinox rumors are still swirling about a Hoboken location (plus a confirmed Jersey City location in the works), it’s time to direct our attention to another new fitness spot that is coming to town: Barry’s Bootcamp recently announced that the international gym franchise is opening a Hoboken, New Jersey location. It announced the news on its Instagram in early August, and now we know the location of the upcoming fitness spot — the former Jos A. Bank storefront at 119 River Street, Suite A. Click here for more.

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Urban Market Hoboken Planning for November Opening on Washington

Uptown Hoboken isn’t starved for choices when it comes to grocery stores. Trader Joe’s, Kings, and ShopRite are all accessible food shopping options in the area — and lucky for us, we’re about to get another. Back in October of 2022, we reported that Brooklyn-based shop Dumbo Market is officially coming to Hoboken at 1425 Washington Street, under the name Hoboken Market (surprising, we know). Construction started at the massive space near the Hudson Tea House on Tuesday, January 23rd and signage officially went up earlier that week. We know that Urban Market is planning to make its debut in the Mile Square this November. This move marks Dumbo Market’s first New Jersey location. Click here for more.

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Hoboken’s Fall Arts + Music Festival Returning Today, 9/29

One of the Mile Square’s most anticipated fall events is returning today, September 29th. The City of Hoboken announced in August that the annual Fall Arts + Music Festival will take place along Washington Street in Hoboken. From 11AM to 6PM, residents can peruse displays + sales from artists, crafters, food vendors, and local businesses — as well as listen to live music. Click here for more.

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New Jersey City Courthouse Opening is Set For Early 2025

The new Frank J. Guarini Justice Complex on Newark Avenue in Jersey City will open its doors to the public by early next year. Per the Jersey City Times, at a recent press tour of the building, it was deemed 98% completed. Construction of the new 600,000-square-foot structure, encompassing 24 courtrooms, a 459-space parking garage, and various county offices currently housed in the county Administration Building across the street, was finished in 42 months.

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The Hoboken Shelter Cuts Ribbon on Renovated Kitchen

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Hoboken Shelter announced via Instagram that it officially reopened its kitchen on September 20th as Executive Director Jaclyn Cherubini, along with the Board of Trustees, cut the ribbon on the updated kitchen. The kitchen’s footprint was not altered but instead given a “refresh,” including a new epoxy floor, restaurant-grade shelving, and new appliances, including two commercial stoves, refrigerators, and freezers. Local restaurants were invited to step in while the kitchen was closed. Restaurants donated meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Individual donors stepped up too, providing catered dinners or home-cooked meals for shelter guests.

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Hoboken Restaurant BYRD Announces New Fall Menu

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The team behind Millburn’s Common Lot restaurant opened a new restaurant called BYRD back in June at 800 Jackson Street in Hoboken. The restaurant recently announced via Instagram its new fall menu which went live on September 24th. Among its new menu items are roasted pumpkin with house-made chili maple dressing, feta, + pecans, braised octopus with Calabrian chili, house-made sausage, fresh fennel, + lemon dressing, and garlic + shellfish noodles with chili, sesame, + scallions.

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Hoboken Police Swore in Five New Officers at City Hall

On September 26th Mayor Ravi Bhalla, Public Safety Director Ken Ferrante, and Police Chief Steven Aguiar hosted a police swearing-in ceremony at 3PM at Hoboken City Hall, 94 Washington Street. Per a City of Hoboken press release, five new officers took the oath of office.

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Community Honors Hoboken Resident Shirael Vaknin Pollack

Photo Credit: Timothy James Kay

A dedication ceremony in honor of Hoboken resident Shirael Vaknin Pollack took place at Maxwell Place Park on September 24th. Per a Nixle announcement, Shirael, who passed away in 2019 after a two-year battle with stomach cancer, was the co-founder of the Hoboken Public Education Foundation and a tireless advocate for public education. She often spent time in the park with her two daughters. The dedication served as a lasting tribute to her impact on the community and the many lives she touched.

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New Dispensary, Village Hoboken, Opens on Washington Street

Photo Credit: JMartinVisuals

A former NBA star with Jersey roots is the latest business owner to open a cannabis dispensary in Hudson County. Village Hoboken, which opened this past weekend at 516 Washington Street, is owned by Al Harrington, an Orange native and a 16-season NBA veteran. His company, Viola Brands, has sold its products in other dispensaries in the state, and this new business also sells Viola products. The new cannabis dispensary made its debut on Washington Street on September 21st following a ribbon cutting held on Friday, September 20th. Click here for more.

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Urban Paddle Expands to West Hudson Park’s Fairy Lake in Harrison

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Outdoor hobbies are a great way to explore the area, learn a skill, and meet new people. Local company Urban Paddle has been bringing people with a love of the great outdoors together for the past four years through aquatic sports rentals at affordable rates. Its most recent expansion to Fairy Lake, located in West Hudson Park in Harrison, is the latest iteration of the program’s quest to support the community through resources that promote movement and community. The Hoboken Girl had the chance to connect with Kevin Murray, owner of Urban Paddle, to chat about the organization and its latest expansion. Click here for more.

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Three Jersey City Men Charged With Sexual Assault + Robbery

Three Jersey City men have been charged with sexually assaulting and robbing two women inside of an apartment on Bergen Avenue on September 11th. Per the Hudson County View, Mohamed Mohamed, 24, Abdalla Abdelsalam Elsayed, 20, and Mahmoud Hegazi, 18, all of Jersey City, were arrested at their residences on September 20th and are being held at the Hudson County Correctional Facility.

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Hoboken Man Charged for Striking Goose With Ebike

A 30-year-old man was arrested in Hoboken on September 11th after witnesses told police that he “purposely struck a goose with an ebike,” police said. Per Patch Hoboken, Andrew Mullins of Hoboken was charged with cruelty to animals and issued a complaint summons for riding an e-bike on a walkway. Police said they responded at 5:35PM to reports that someone struck a goose. Andrew was taken to police headquarters, charged, and then taken to the Hudson County Correctional Facility.

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Hoboken Joins the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate + Energy

Photo Credit: City of Hoboken

The City of Hoboken has officially joined the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, along with establishing new renewable energy targets. Per a City of Hoboken press release, the new partnerships reaffirm Hoboken’s dedication to addressing climate change, reaching carbon neutrality by 2050 and net-zero energy by 2030, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and increasing resilience to climate impacts.

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North Bergen Housing Authority Appoints New Interim Housing Authority Director

North Bergen Assemblyman Julio Marenco (D-33) has been voted in as the new interim housing authority executive director in light of the prior Executive Director leaving three days after a lawsuit was filed. Per the Hudson County View, Marenco was elected to the state Assembly in 2023 after serving on the North Bergen Board of Commissioners for eight years. The North Bergen Housing Authority (NBHA) board appointed him by a unanimous vote on September 19th. Former NBHA Executive Director Gerald Sanzari resigned “due to personal health reasons” earlier this month, three days after a former employee filed a lawsuit alleging he had misappropriated agency funds.

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Signage Up in Hoboken for New Med Spa, Fillir

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Fillir, a med spa specializing in non-invasive aesthetic enhancements, is coming soon to Hoboken. Fillir made the announcement via Instagram on September 13th. The official location has not been released yet.

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Jersey City Man Sentenced to Prison in Fatal Greenville Stabbing

A Jersey City man has been sentenced to 16 years in state prison in connection with a fatal 2021 stabbing in Greenville. Per the Jersey City Times, Darius Evans, 49, was sentenced on September 19th by Judge John A. Young for the death of Tyrone Haskins in Jersey City on January 1st, 2021. Darius must serve 85% of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole.

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City of Hoboken Secures Over $1M in Grant Funding for EV Charging Infrastructure

Photo Credit: City of Hoboken

Mayor Ravi Bhalla announced on September 25th that the City of Hoboken has secured over $1.2 million from two separate grants to expand access to electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. Per a Nixle announcement, this funding will bring the city closer to its goal of ensuring every resident is within a five-minute walk of an accessible EV charging station. So far, Hoboken has installed 26 Level 2 charging ports and 8 DC fast charging ports in municipal garages and at curbside locations.

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NY Waterway to Rebuild Weehawken Maintenance Facility With $6.3M Federal Grant

On September 17th, the Jersey Journal reported that the U.S. Department of Transportation Passenger Ferry Program awarded NY Waterway a $6.3 million grant to assist in rebuilding its maintenance facility in Weehawken. Per Better Waterfront, the grant will provide funds to install a wave attenuator to protect the new facility from wakes, high tides, and flooding.

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Martin Scorsese’s Frank Sinatra Biopic is Postponed Again

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Earlier this year, Martin Scorsese had everyone picturing Leonardo DiCaprio as Frank Sinatra with Jennifer Lawrence by his side as Ava Gardner in his Sinatra biopic. But now, the director’s plans have stalled again. Per NJ.com, the Sinatra movie was supposed to film this year but one hurdle Scorsese, 81, has faced is getting the blessing of Sinatra’s daughter Tina Sinatra, 75, who controls the singer’s estate. When the earlier version of the Sinatra film came to a halt seven years ago, Scorsese said the Sinatra family had objected to dark material in the script.

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Future of Hoboken Rent Control Protections to be Included on November Ballot

On the ballot this election cycle is an important referendum question for all registered voters in Hoboken pertaining to the future of rent control protections. Per a City of Hoboken press release, voters who receive a Vote by Mail ballot will have this referendum question on the reverse side of the ballot. According to current Hoboken law, annual rent increases imposed by landlords in residential units subject to rent control are capped at either 5% or the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rate, whichever is lower. However, when a unit has been occupied for three years or more and becomes vacant, landlords can raise the rent by up to 25%—a process known as “partial vacancy decontrol.”  This increase can only happen once every three years for the same unit.  

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MOKAFÉ Coffee Shop Opens in Jersey City

Photo Credit: Christian Gonzalez

Coffee shop MOKAFÉ announced via Instagram its soft opening in Jersey City on September 19th. The coffee shop is located at 273 16th Street and features artisanal and ethically sourced coffee blends from Yemen and Palestine. Also on its menu are the viral Dubai chocolate bars, chocolate knafa croissants, knafa chocolate bars, Halal rice krispies treats, and more.

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